A new enterprise centre is on the cards for Arnold after Gedling Borough Council today revealed plans to transform the vacant first floor of The AMP into a space for budding entrepreneurs.
A report has been published by the council revealing that it plans to allocate a significant investment of £655,000 into fitting out the vacant first floor of the building to boost economic growth and provide a space for offices, conference and training room in the heart of the town.
The AMP was opened by Gedling Borough Council on the former Arnold Market site in 2022 and is already home to a number of small businesses on the ground floor.
The council said it always had plans to develop the first floor space and the project has received £655,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund so that work can begin and is expected to be completed by the Autumn.
The project is expected to support several of the council priorities including revitalising town centres, support economic growth and creating jobs in the area. It will also increase footfall to the town shopping precinct and support the existing businesses in the area.
The council has also recently announced investment plans in the northern part of the town with the purchase of vacant units and the creation of a masterplan for the entire town centre with the aim of attracting investment opportunities following the disappointment of not receiving any UK Government Levelling Up funding in the latest round of bids.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke MBE said: “We’re delighted to be announcing the next phase of work to create an enterprise centre here at the AMP.
“We want to create a space where we can support local businesses, start ups and entrepreneurs who need office space in the centre of a busy town centre like Arnold.
“We’ve seen how successful our investment to build the AMP building has been. The ground floor has been as all seven units are currently full against a backdrop of difficult economic times for so many.
He added: We are doing everything we can to bring people to the high street, including continuing to offer two hours of free parking in all our car parks and now with this work to transform the first floor, it will create more jobs and support growth in the borough.”
Great, 655 grand to make use of that pointless building they already spent our taxes on? Bet all their mates companies will be “consulted” on the work.
There is very little colour in Arnold Town Centre.
What about getting some local art students and school children to do some art installations using recycled materials that show imagination, innovation and intelligence that are sadly lacking in the decisions that those in authority make and they may learn something from this exercise for future projects?
Another £655k for Arnold? I don’t care who gave it, where it’s from, once again it’s Arnold, Arnold, Arnold. Try fighting for some government cash for some of your other Borough members for a change. Your Arnold favouritism is nothing short of sickening.
I had a visiting friend who on driving through Arnold said ‘I suppose this is the really bad part of Nottingham’- Arnold NEEDS help.
How is using that space for offices going to generate and support growth and regeneration of the high street? Ridiculous
There’s nothing to match Gedling Borough Council when it comes to wasting money, it’s embarrassing & pathetic
What is an office going to achieve ,spend some money on the existing market ,some traders have been there 30 years or more .Look after the loyal ones and improve the area ,its about time gbc listened to the locals not decide themselves
AMP
Absolutely Meaningless Project.